The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1887-10-13

it. The little girl was overjoyed at
becoming the possessor of what at that
time she desired most of all on earth !;
but her father was not yet satisfied
and determined to learn the secret of
that picture if possible. So after
many visits of kindly nature the old
lady agreed to tell her story.
''Some years before my marEiage
with my first husband, Mr.. Tillett,
she said, "and while we were courtiDg,
a pilot boat came ashore near Kitty
Hawk. She had all sails set and the
rudder was fastened. Mr.. Tillett, in
company with the vreckers, boarded
her, and in the cabin they found the
breakfast table set but not disturbed.
Why we thought it was that meal was
because the beds were not made up.
Anyhow the trunks were broken open
and among the things scattered about
on the cabin floor were several silk
dresses, black lace shawl, vase Of
wax flowers with a glass globe cover
ing shell resembling the shape Of
the nautilus, beautifully carved, and
the lovely picture. There was no
blood seen on the vessel or any sign of
violence, and my opinion was that the
passengers and crew on that pilot
boat walked the plank ; the rudder
was tied up and the vessel turned
adrift. My future husband took for
his share of the spoils two dresses, the
shell, vase and picture, all Of which
he presented to me, and [ have kept
them ever since. This was years ago.
[ don't remember the year, but it was
very near the time We were fighting
the English. This is all | know about
the picture and, a. your father did
not kill me, you are welcome to it,
honey. Wait bit and I'll bring the
other thing for you to look at.
The articles mentioned we're then
put before DR.. Pool and his daughter
for inspection and the young lady
says there is no doubt but what every
thing in the possession of Mrs. Mann
once belonged to some lady OF culture,
taste and refinement. The old lady
told her story in a hesitating manner,
and the chances are that much re,
manned untold.
The portrait bore SC striking re-
semblance to Theodosia Aston as to
be remarked by all who saw it and
were familiar with the engraved por-
traits of that lady. The circumstsn-
ces of the vessel coming ashore at
about the time the Patriot left George
town, coupled with the dying sailors
declaration, led the doctor and his
family to believe that Mrs. Mann's
"pilot- boat" was the Patriot, and the
portrait SO strangely found was one Of
herself that Mrs. Aston was taking
to her father. Acting on this belief,
and to test it. accuracy, they had pho
tographs of the portrait made, and
sent them to artists and friends Of the
family for their opinion. These, in
most cases, pronounced the portrait a
likeness of Mrs. Aston. Mr.. George
B. Edwards, OF New York, connec-
tion of the lady on her mothers side,
wrote "My father agrees with me
in the belief that it is Aaron Burr s
daughter. She certainly has his eyes
and the Edwards nose"
The photograph was also shown to
Col. John H. Wheeler, the historian
of North Carolina, and to his wife, a
daughter of Sully, the portrait painter,
herself sculptor of some merit, who
both pronounced it striking likenes.
Of Theodosia.
Being in the vicinity of DR.. Pool.
home recently, the writer paid him a
visit and was shown the portrait Il
is an oil painting on wood, with gill
frame about twenty inches in length
and of the school of art in vogue il
18OO-10. Familiar with three portraits
of Theodosia by different artists, he al
once recognized a marked resem
blance, although he would hesitate
confidently to pronounce it portrait
Of that lady j yet the difference wal
no more than might have reeulted
from difference in age. In the hopt
of gaining corroboratiye evidence al
to the identity Of the portrait, w
crossed over Albemarle Sound to Nag.
Head. Mrs. Mann, we learned, had
been dead several years. Two son.
were found living among the dunes o1
that strange coast five miles north O
the Head. Both disclaimed ever hav
ing seen or heard of portrait, dresses
or shell, but referred us to an elder
sister, Mrs. Westcott, widow livins
on Roanoke Island, who might posi-
bly, have been more in their mother
confidence than they. Before leaving
on this errsnd, however, we made diligen
inquiry among the wreckers for any tradi
ton or memory Of the pilot boat, withou
awakening a single recollection. Thi.
however, does not initiate against DR.
POOLS story, for the "banker of to-day, al
though he does not, like his f,refasher,
lure ships ashore and strip the wreck, i
these sands generations ago. Unsuccessful
on these banks, we crossed the sound t
Roanoke and visited Mrs. Westcott at he
pleasant cottage on the western shore of tn
island. She is q woman of excellent repu
tntion and favorably impressed the visito
by her intelligence and sincerity.
She recollected the portrait, and rensn
bered hearing her mother say it wa
found in = bureau or chest of drawer
that foated ashore when she was baby
had never seen or heard of the silk dresses
with DIR. Pool or his daughter can douE
the truth of their story. Mrs. Mann mu,
have told them what she is said to hay
told them. But what she did with tn
articles they saw in her cottage in 1877.
and what circumstance attended their &c
ting that she should have hidden thel
from her children and neighbors throug
a long life, is one of the many mysteri
of these sands that will never be solved.
ii The Daily I,ider, labor paper